Swipes, Screens, and VR: ‘Next, Please’ Captures the Chaos of Modern Dating
Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts presents Rishav Kapoor’s ‘Next, Please,’ a short film featuring the compelling trio of Jim Sarbh, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Shardul Bhardwaj, that sharply and often humorously explores the chaotic landscape of contemporary courtship.
‘Next, Please’ is a discerning bit of cinema which combines a select narrative with the natural acting of its talented cast. In a world saturated with dating apps, fleeting digital interactions, and the promise of immersive virtual experiences, the search for a genuine connection has become both ubiquitous and elusive, and this film tackles it head-on. Echoing the meticulous storytelling seen in Chaitanya Tamhane’s works, Rishav Kapoor brings a keen observational lens to modern relationships, capturing the nuances of human connection with depth and precision.
A Simulated Reality
The premise is deceptively simple: two individuals, let’s call them the hopeful romantic and the elusive charmer, meet within a VR dating experience. Surrounded by simulated romance, something genuine sparks between them. Shreya Dhanwanthary’s character, radiating an earnest desire for a real connection, takes a leap of faith. She suggests ending the VR date, eager to translate their virtual chemistry into a tangible, face-to-face encounter. And then, reality, in its most brutally relatable form, crashes in. However, there’s no dramatic outburst, no tearful exit, just a weary understanding that this, too, is part of the game.
Rishav Kapoor’s film wisely avoids heavy-handed pronouncements on the state of dating. Instead, it seems to observe, with a keen eye for human foibles and the awkward dance of initial encounters. The performances from Jim Sarbh, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Shardul Bhardwaj are nuanced, hinting at the internal landscapes of characters navigating this complex terrain. Their interactions speak volumes about the hopes and anxieties that underpin the search for companionship in an age dominated by screens and virtual realities.‘Next, Please’ doesn’t shy away from the novel ways technology has infiltrated our romantic lives. It hints at the blurring lines between the digital and the real, the curated online personas we present, and the messy, unpredictable reality of human interaction. The film subtly raises questions about the nature of connection in a world where virtual intimacy can feel both incredibly close and impossibly distant.
What Makes ‘Next,Please’ a Great Watch?
Ultimately, ‘Next, Please,’ presented by Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts, resonates because it captures a universal desire for something beyond the superficial – a deep seated longing for authentic connection. The film is a poignant reflection on the relentless pursuit of connection in a world that offers a dizzying array of options, yet can sometimes leave us feeling more isolated than ever. It’s a film that promises to resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the choppy waters of modern dating, leaving us to ponder the true meaning of finding someone to say, “Stay, please.”
